Obituaries Week of April 9, 2000, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Copyright © 2000 by Carol Morrison. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. MIGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed MIGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the MIGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ___________________________________________________________ __________ HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Michigan Obituaries for the week of April 9, 2000 Marshall Oberski Mr. Marshall E. Oberski, 80, of Parisville died Thursday, April 13, 2000, at Mercy Hospital in Port Huron. He was born March 29, 1920, in Parisville, son of the late Edmund and Frances (Palach) Oberski. He never married. Mr. Oberski attended McMillen Country School. He farmed all his life. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. He is survived by a family friend, Ronald Smalley and his wife, Delores, of Ubly. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Minnie Leppek and Gertrude; and three brothers, Alex, Edmund and Robert Oberski. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2000, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parisville. The Rev. Charles Hammond, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A parish wake service will take place at 8 tonight at the Zinger- Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. Visitation will be from 5 to 9:30 tonight and from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Edith Henshall Edith E. Henshall, 87, of Caseville died Wednesday, April 12, 2000, at Tendercare in Cass City. There will be no local visitation or services as she is returning to New Jersey for burial in Bethl Memorial Park, Pennsauken, N.J. Local arrangements were handled by Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville. Paul Soini Paul David Soini, 93, former resident of Bad Axe and Port Huron, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at Cresmont Nursing Home in Fenton. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, April 17, 2000, at the First United Methodist Church in Bad Axe with the Rev. William Wright, pastor, and the Rev. Jerry St. Cim, pastor of the Westwood Church of God, officiating. Burial will follow at the Colfax Mausoleum. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe. Donna Weiss Donna Weiss, 73, of Pigeon passed away Friday, April 14, 2000, at Covenant Hospital in Saginaw. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are being handled by Meyersieck- Bussema Funeral Home, a Golden Rule Funeral Home, Pigeon. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday's Huron Daily Tribune. Walter Fiebig Walter H. Fiebig, 79, of Sebewaing died Wednesday, April 12, 2000, at Bay Medical Center in Bay City following a lengthy illness. He was born Feb. 14, 1921, in Sebewaing, son of the late Ernst and Amanda (Schairer) Fiebig. He was united in marriage to Ida Sendtko on Nov. 27, 1948, in Saginaw. Walter had been a life-long farmer in the Sebewaing area. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Surviving besides his wife, Ida, are two sons, Kenneth Fiebig and Donald Fiebig and his wife, Kathy, all of Sebewaing; three grandchildren, Kourtney Quinn and her husband, Matthew, of Belding, Kyle Fiebig of East Lansing, and Jessica Fiebig of Sebewaing; two great-grandchildren, Aaden and Anikka Quinn; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Arnold Fiebig. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2000, at the Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. The Rev. Charles Kuhl will officiate with burial in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor's choice. John Mulrath, Sr. John Mulrath, Sr., 84, of Cass City died Wednesday, April 12, 2000, at Aleda E. Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Saginaw. He was born March 2, 1916, in Amidon, S.D., to Nicholas and Theresa (Klopp) Mulrath. He married Helen M. Frederick on Sept. 22, 1945, in Cass City. She died Nov. 9, 1976. John worked for the Cass City Grain Elevator for many years, for Cass City Manufacturing, and for Active Industries in Sebewaing for more than 18 years. He served during World War II in Italy for two years with the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart. John enjoyed working on homes, woodworking and completed a college course in television repair. John is survived by his children, Joseph Mulrath and his wife, Patricia, of Warwick, R.I., Theresa Coates and her husband, Norman, John Mulrath, Jr., and his wife, Lois, Helen Bean, and Peter Mulrath and his wife, Sue, all of Cass City; 14 grandchildren; 18 great- grandchildren; sisters Magdalena Provost and her husband, Joseph, of Detroit, Anna Sting and her husband, Waldo, of Ashmore, and Catherine Wisner and her husband, Owen, of Bach; brothers Joseph Muelrath and his wife, Elizabeth, and Nicholas Mulrath, Jr., both of Livonia; a sister-in-law, Edna Muelrath of Livonia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son; and a brother, Steve Muelrath. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, April 14, 2000, at Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, with the Rev. Paul Bala of St. Pancratius Catholic Church officiating. Miltiary services will be under the direction of the Cass City VFW Post No. 3644. Interment will be in the Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today, and 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Family Discretionary Fund. Dona Kincade Dona J. Kincade,71, of Bad Axe, formerly of Huron City, passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2000, at the Tendercare Nursing Home in Cass City following an extended illness. She was born on June 25, 1928, in Glencoe, daughter of the late Frank and Anne (Talbot) Tomlinson. She married R. Frank Kincade on March 8, 1947, in Detroit. He preceded her in death on Sept. 29, 1998. Mrs. Kincade was employed by the former Port Austin Air Base, where she worked in the commissary and mess hall for 20 years. She was formerly the pianist at the Grindstone Methodist Church and enjoyed bowling and playing cards. She is survived by a daughter, Deborah Deaner and her husband, Thomas, of Port Huron; three sons, Larry Kincade and his wife, Mary Ann, of Flint, Karl Kincade and his wife, Linda, of St. Joseph, and Frank Kincade and his wife, Mary Ellen, of Bad Axe; a sister, Lydia Tomlinson of Port Austin; a sister-in-law, Helen Tomlinson of Bad Axe; and seven grandchildren, Lisa and Laura Kincade of Flint, Jonathan and Alexander Kincade of St. Joseph, Matthew and Melissa Kincade of Bad Axe, and Joel Deaner of Port Huron. She was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Tomlinson; and a sister, Violet Briggs. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, April 14, 2000, at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. The Rev. William Wright will officiate. Interment will be in New River Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Tendercare Nursing Home. Jane Wooley Jane I. Wooley, 77, of Mount Pleasant died Sunday, April 9, 2000, at her residence. Jane was born on Jan. 8, 1923, the daughter of Herman and Katherine (Cullen) Henne. Jane served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She married Robert Wooley and was a homemaker. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Jane is survived by her children, Warren R. Wooley and his wife, Stephanie, of Connecticut, and Bert Wooley of Sylvan Lake; numerous nieces and nephews; and her three sisters, Isobel Kuhl and her husband, Roland, of Berkley, Kathleen Hailey of Tulsa, Okla., and Frances Jeroue of Midland. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1983; her parents; three brothers; and three sisters. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2000, from the First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant with the Rev. Benton Heisler officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Clark Funeral Chapel in Mount Pleasant, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be given to the church. Share a memory of Jane with her family at the chapel or through the Condolence Register book at www.clarkfuneralchapel.com Basil Taylor Basil G. Taylor, 86, of Kingston died Monday, April 10, 2000, in his home. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2000, at Cass City First Baptist Church with Pastors Eric Holmgren and Gordon Hawkins of Cass City First Baptist Church and Pastor David E. Dee of First Baptist Church of Glennie officiating. Interment will be in Seymour Lake Cemetery in Seymour Lake. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Kranz Funeral Home in Cass City, and 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be given to United Hospice of Marlette or Cass City First Baptist Church. Marjorie Fifield Marjorie L. Fifield, 57, of Sebewaing died Sunday afternoon, April 9, 2000, at her home following a brief illness. She was born May 25, 1942, in Sebewaing, daughter of the late Paul and Laura (Schulz) Deeg. She was married to Gary B. Fifield on July 20, 1963, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bach. He preceded her in death on May 17, 1998. Marjorie was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bach, its Ladies Aid and choir. She also enjoyed crafting. Surviving are two sons, Edward Fifield and his wife, Sheri, of Fostoria, and Larry Fifield and his wife, Brenda, of Silverwood; one daughter-in-law, Tonya Fifield of Fostoria; 11 grandchildren; three sisters, Selma Schulz of Deckerville, Elsa Volz and Shirley Leiterman, both of Sebewaing; five brothers, Harold Deeg and his wife, Marcie, of Unionville, Walter Deeg and his wife, Carolyn, of Huntington, Ind., Donald Deeg and his wife, Carol, of Sebewaing, Gerald Deeg and his wife, Fran, of Sebewaing, and Robert Deeg and his wife, Linda, of Sebewaing; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Denise Marie Fifield; one son, Raymond Paul Fifield; and her husband, Gary B. Fifield. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2000, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bach. The Rev. Ernest C. Wendt will officiate with burial in Mosher Cemetery at Hemans. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Dinkel-Juengel Funeral Home in Sebewaing. She will lie in state from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Peter Lutheran Church Ladies Aid, Altar Guild or the family discretionary fund. Elmer "Ike" Lange Elmer "Ike" William Lange, 87, of Saginaw died Thursday, April 6, 2000, at his home. He was the son of the late Ferdinand and Martha Lange of Sebewaing. He married on Aug. 27, 1938, to Cora Gregory. She preceded him in death on June 7, 1956. He was united in marriage with Crystal Morse on June 10, 1961. She preceded him in death on Nov. 1, 1999. Much of Mr. Lange's life was dedicated to serving others as a part of his Christian witness. He was a charter member of the Kochville Lions Club and served in various offices. The Elmer W. Lange Park in Kochville Township was named in his honor in 1990. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America. He has been an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, having served in a variety of capacities. He is survived by six sons and one daughter, Gregory Lange and his wife, Marlene, of Saginaw, Fredrick Lange and his wife, Linda, of Baldwin, Helen Borland of Atlanta, Ga., Charles Lange and his wife, Amber, of Monstrose, G. Benson Lange and his wife, Dawn, of Clarkston, Robert Lange and his wife, Katherine, of Bridgeport, and Larry Lange and his wife, Lori, of Saginaw; grandchildren Suzan Lemmons and her husband, Sam, of Midland, Scott Lange of Edgerton, Ohio, Charles Lange, Jr., and his wife, Denice, of Chesaning, Jeffery Lange and his wife, Kim, of Clio, Karen Borland of Atlanta, Ga., Eric Borland of Atlanta, Ga., Joshua John Lange and Joel Ike Lange, both of Clarkston, Sarah Lange and Christopher Lange, both of Bridgeport, and Erin Lange and Ethan Lange, both of Saginaw; great-grandchildren Ashley Marie Cole, Jennifer Lynn Miller of Baldwin, Travis Lange of Chesaning and Troy Gregory Lemmons of Midland; three sisters and two brothers, Lorna Ziegler and Esther Gremel, both of Saginaw, Dorothy Eberlein and her husband, Art, of Sebewaing, Norman Lange and his wife, Ruth, of Plymouth and Frederick Lange of Warren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Lange. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2000, at Faith Lutheran Church, 2405 Bay Road, Saginaw. The Rev. Dr. William Nicholson will preach with the Rev. Julie Bailey presiding. Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the W.L. Case and Co. Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Road, Saginaw, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church-Elmer Lange Memorial Fund, the Kochville Lions Club Memorial Fund, or the Saginaw Valley State University Foundation Crystal M. Lange Scholarship Fund. Clara Laughlin Clara M. Laughlin, 85, of Elkton died Saturday evening, April 8, 2000, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. She was born on May 28, 1914, in Fisherville, Bay County. On June 26, 1943, she married Martin Laughlin at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Bay City and moved to his farm in Chandler Township. In December 1968, they moved into Elkton. Martin preceded her in death on Sept. 19, 1970. Clara was a licensed practical nurse and started her career at Hubbard Hospital in Bad Axe on June 1, 1957. She retired from Huron Memorial Hospital on Dec. 1, 1980. She was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon, and a past member of St. Felix Catholic Church and Altar Society. Surviving are her son, Jerry and his wife, Gloria; and her sister, Shirley Rytlewski of Midland. She was preceded in death by four sisters and a brother. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2000, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, Pigeon, with burial in St. Felix Cemetery, Pinnebog. A parish scripture service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton by Sr. Theresa Fox, pastoral administrator. Visitation will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association. Norma "Toots Joy" Marks Norma J. "Toots Joy" Marks, 69, of Loon Lake, Ind., died Saturday, April 8, 2000, in the Hospice Home of Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne, Ind., where she had been a patient for the past three weeks. She was born on March 9, 1931, in Whitley County, Ind., the daughter of Mervin and Tora Hull Blanchard. On March 13, 1948, she was united in marriage to Reinald D. "Mick" Joy and they made their home in Fort Wayne for 22 years, then moved to St. Johns in 1970. In 1972, they moved to Port Hope. Mr. Joy died on Jan. 15, 1981. On Aug. 20, 1994, she was married to William G. Marks and they spent their married life at Loon Lake, near Columbia City, Ind. She was employed at Magnavox in Fort Wayne, the Lydall Co. in Ligonier for eight years, and retired in 1994 from Thumb Plastics in Bad Axe. She was a member of the Women of the Moose in Columbia City. Surviving are her husband, Bill; two sons, Randall D. Joy and his wife, Emily, of St. Johns, and Rick D. Joy and his wife, Sharon, of Port Hope; two daughters, Linda M. Cohen and her husband, John, of South Bend, Ind., and Terry C. Jurgess and her husband, Jeffrey, of Harbor Beach; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Henry "Hank" Blanchard of Columbia City. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Jacqueline Joy and Cindy Bender; and a brother, Walter Blanchard. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2000, in the Smith and Sons Funeral Home, 207 N. Main Street, Columbia City. Burial will be in the Nolt Cemetery, Columbia Township. The Women of the Moose will conduct a twilight service at 8 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Hospice Home of Northeast Indiana, 3024 Fairfield Ave., Fort Wayne. William Hallitt William James Hallitt, 43, resident of Bad Axe in Colfax Township died Sunday, April 9, 2000, at his sister's home in Caro. He was born Aug. 24, 1956, in Bad Axe. He was the son of Lauretta (Dahlke) Hallitt and the late Clayton Hallitt. He attended the Huron Area Technical Center for auto mechanics, and later attended Baker College in Cass City, studying computers and accounting. He worked for seven years at the Thumb Blanket and volunteered at the Bad Axe hockey rink and the Huron Area Technical Center. William enjoyed going to high school football and basketball games, car races, Detroit Tigers baseball games, the Bad Axe hockey rink and going to the beach. Surviving are his mother, Lauretta Hallitt; his sister, Erma Bills and her husband, Glen, of Caro; two brothers, Charles Hallitt of Smyrna, Ga., and Earl Hallitt of Ellenwood, Ga.; two nephews, Rod and Rick Bills of Caro; his good friend Jim Pickering of Bad Axe; and several aunts, uncles and many cousins. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2000, at the MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe, with the Rev. Gordon Gossman, pastor of the Bad Axe Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Burial will follow in the Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. until the time of services at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or the family. George Torres George Epifanio Torres, 81, of Elkton died Thursday evening, April 6, 2000, at Scheurer Hospital. He was born September 14, 1918, in Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico, to the late Peter and Carmen (Chavez) Torres and moved to the United States in his youth. On December 11, 1943, he was united in marriage to Julia "June" Robles at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Gagetown. George loved sports. He pitched baseball in the 40s and 50s and was considered the best in the Huron County league. He was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Pigeon and past president of the church council. He served as president of Local 628 A.I.W. for eight years, recording secretary of Active Credit Union (now Team One) when it began, coached little league for 19 years and served on the Elkton Area United Fund board for many years. He had been employed as a Lorry Operator at Active Industries for 35 years, retiring in 1985. Surviving are his wife, June; five sons, George Torres and his wife, Cathy, of Fort Worth, Texas, Joseph Torres of Elkton, Thomas Torres of Pigeon, Richard Torres and his wife, Pollyana, of Cadillac, and James Torres and his wife, Martha, of Bad Axe; three daughters, Lenore Torres of Madrid, Spain, Delores Leonard and her husband, James, of Bad Axe, and Carmen Nugent and her husband, Don, of LeGrange, Ind.; 21 grandchildren, Kelly, Frank, Amy, Michel, Eric, Tommy, James, Jessica, Christina, Julia, Danielle, Theresa, Alex, Tim, Ashton, Angelica, Jimmy, Andre, Joey, Jacqulyn and Nicholas; two great- grandchildren, Andrea and Sandra. Preceding him in death are three brothers, Joseph, Peter and Louis Torres; and a sister, Anita Benitez. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2000, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, with burial in the church cemetery. A parish scripture service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, and 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Disease Association, Extended Services at Medical Care or his church. John Kopack John Albert Kopack, 55, died Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at his home in Bay Port after suffering from multiple medical problems for several years. He was born June 8, 1944, in Garden City to the late Charles and Claudia (LaCelle) Kopack. On May 7, 1966, he was united in marriage to Helen Bednorek in Garden City. They were married for 17 years. John owned and operated Caseville Floor Covering for 10 years until it closed in 1985. He also operated Mrs. B's Yarn Shop and the Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor in Caseville. He was past member of the Caseville Chamber of Commerce, Caseville Eagles and started the Caseville Art Show. He enjoyed fishing and hunting for antiques. He was also a very talented artist, painting from abstracts to portraits. Surviving are two daughters, Christina Engleman and her husband, Kevin, of Caseville, and Colleen Kopack of Albuquerque, N.M.; three grand-children, Alexander, Gavin and Elizabeth; his brother, Thomas Kopack of Northville; and his sisters, Claudia Lux and her husband, Eli, of Westland, and Charmaine Coak and her husband, Charles, of Inkster. A funeral mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2000, at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Caseville. Jannette Knoblock Jannette Knoblock, 68, of Kinde died Friday, April 7, 2000, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw. She was born on Dec. 23, 1931, in Dwight Township, daughter of the late Joseph and Tillie (Chaplinski) Krajenka. She and Lewie Knoblock were married on April 16, 1955, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. She is survived by her husband, Lewie; four children, Leonora Baughman and her husband, Jene, of Commerce, Leonard Knoblock of Port Austin, Joseph Knoblock and his wife, Vanessa, of Okawville, Ill., and Felicia Knoblock of Bad Axe; four grandchildren, Wesley and Adrianne Baughman, and Katie and Alexis Knoblock; three sisters, Irene Tschirhart of Bad Axe, Helen Lemanski of Madison Heights, and Emilie Szeszycki of Warren; one brother-in- law, Sam Miller of Port Austin. She was preceded in death by five sisters, Alice Lazarowicz, Mary Goretski, Lottie Miller, Viola Andreski and Genevieve Horetski; one brother, Joseph Krajenka; and infant twin sisters. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2000, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Msgr. Francis Murray will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde. A parish scripture service will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Peggy Burns Peggy Burns, 66, of Bad Axe died Friday, April 7, 2000, at Bay Medical Center. Her visitation will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. service time Sunday at Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly. 1